Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms. Kathleen Addy, has unveiled the Commission's 2024 General Election Research Report, titled Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian voter.
The report, a crucial piece of research leading up to the December 7 elections, captures the key concerns and expectations of citizens as they prepare to cast their votes.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Ms. Addy emphasized the importance of the NCCE’s mission to promote and sustain democracy by educating Ghanaians about their rights and civic responsibilities.
"Our role is to create and sustain within society an awareness of the principles and objectives of our Constitution, and this report reflects exactly what Ghanaians expect from those they elect," she stated.
She further outlined the core functions of the NCCE as laid out in the NCCE Act 1993 (Act 452), which include educating the public on defending the Constitution and formulating programs that promote democratic values.
The Matters of Concern report, an election-year staple produced by the NCCE, is widely regarded as a reflection of the true concerns of the electorate.
"This report represents the accurate voice of the people," Ms. Addy said, adding that it serves as a valuable guide for political leaders and elected officials to understand what Ghanaians prioritize.
Ms. Addy also drew attention to the growing monetization of politics, noting that it has become a disturbing trend in Ghanaian elections.
"What was once muted has now become very loud. Politicians openly engage in it, and citizens now demand it. We’ve moved from offering simple items like matches and candles to expensive items like flat-screen TVs," she observed, warning that this practice threatens the country’s democratic foundations.
She also highlighted other critical issues being tackled by the NCCE in the lead-up to the elections, including political violence, the use of inflammatory language, and the proliferation of fake news and misinformation.
"These are major threats to the stability of the state, and we are working diligently to educate citizens, especially the youth, on the dangers of participating in such practices," she said.
Ms. Addy called on all political stakeholders to take the findings of the Matters of Concern report seriously, as it reflects the hopes and dreams of Ghanaians and outlines the key issues that require attention from decision-makers.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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